A Message from The Golf Professional Jonathan

Decker, PGA Head Golf Professional

May is here and the start of the new golf season is off to a great start. The short-term inconvenience from the current irrigation project will soon have a positive impact on the golf experience for everyone and your patience and cooperation during the project is greatly appreciated. New for 2023 we are excited to launch the Wine Down Wednesday series for ladies to enjoy a night out for golf at the club. Held monthly, this will be a great opportunity for female working professionals to get a round in together or participate in a clinic followed by a featured wine pairing. For our male golfers at the club, we are currently in need of substitute players for the Thursday Night League on a weekly basis. Add your name to the weekly sub list on ForeTees for the weeks you can participate. Looking ahead toward the end of the month, the Men’s and Women’s Spring Bird tournaments currently have spots to fill. These two-day member-member events are a ton of fun and help kick-off Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer. Please consider signing up on ForeTees soon!

GolF shoP hours

MON | Closed

TUES - FRI | 7:30AM - 7PM

WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS | 7AM - 7PM

May is new wedGe Month

BaG rooM & PraCtiCe FaCility hours

MON | 12PM - 7PM

TUES - FRI | 7:30AM - 7PM

SATURDAY | 7AM - 7PM

SUNDAY | 7AM - 6PM

As has been well documented, old worn-out wedges will produce much less spin than new ones. The best comparison is car tires and their ability to maintain their grip on the road as they wear. The “stopping” power slowly diminishes and players will see their golf balls roll out more. A good rule of thumb is to replace your sand and lob wedge every 100 rounds. During May we will be offering $10 off all wedges when purchasing two or more. My staff and I are available for wedge fittings at no charge to help players identify the ideal loft and bounce for their game.

Ghin sCore PostinG

GHIN score posting resumed for Western New York on April 15th. All members maintaining a handicap should post their gross (actual) hole-by-hole scores the date the round was played. Posting hole-by-hole scores will implement the maximum net double bogey rule. GHIN updates daily and handicaps can change the day following a posted score. The Transit Valley Golf Shop will post all rounds when a scorecard is distributed.

PaCe oF Play

As the temperature increases, so will the number of golfers making their way on to the course. The Golf Committee would like to remind everyone that all groups teeing off in the first 90 minutes of play are expected to play in under four hours, with the remaining groups required to play in four hours and nine minutes or less. For everyone to enjoy their round as much as possible we need to do everything we can to ensure a great experience. Being mindful and considerate of your fellow players will make the biggest impact, so please consider following the items below to help us achieve our goals.

• Arrive to the tee at least five minutes before your tee time

• Play Ready Golf

• Keep up with the group ahead of you

• Hit a provisional ball if you think your ball could be lost

• Limit search time for lost balls to three (3) minutes or less per the Rules of Golf

• If sharing a golf cart, take multiple clubs with you to your ball

• Allow faster groups to play through if there is a hole open ahead of you

• Do not sit down to eat at the Halfway House during the round – take advantage of the TVCC App for food orders if needed and take your items to go.

Putters

If you watch golf on television or happen to look at the equipment of your foursome, you likely have seen the evolution of mallet putters. In 2023 the majority of players on the PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tours have traded in their blade style putters in favor of a mallet. If the best players in the world have made the switch, perhaps you should too? The biggest reason for the change is the added forgiveness or stability from using a mallet over a traditional blade. Just like cavity back irons and oversized drivers, the increase in size allows for weight to be distributed outward and make off-center hits more consistent. Stop by the TVCC Golf Shop to check out the latest options.

24th annual ralPh haas invitiational

Thursday, July 27th - Saturday, July 29th

Registration for the event will be open from Monday, May 1st until Sunday, May 14th. Please note that the field will be limited to 72 teams and if sold out, past participation will be used to determine priority into the event. Registration is not on a first-come, first-serve basis, but all entries must be completed within the registration window to be considered. All members and guests must have a valid GHIN handicap.

Get GolF ready

This will be a six-session clinic series geared toward beginner golfers. Each session will be an hour and cover a wide range of topics from grip, stance, posture, alignment, terminology, basic rules, and course etiquette. Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:30pm: May 3rd, 10th, and 17th & Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am: May 6th, May 13th, and May 20th. Players are encouraged to bring a putter, wedge, 7-iron, and driver, but please know the Golf Shop can provide clubs if needed. Registration will be on ForeTees and is open to all adults at the club. Program registration will be $149/person.